Publication:

Obstructed labour caused by rare congenital anomaly of foetus: managed by foetal abdominal tapping leading to successful vaginal delivery

Obstructed labour with high maternal morbidity and mortality is still prevalent in the developing world. The common causes of obstructed labour include contracted pelvis, uterine abnormalities, maternal pelvic tumours, foetal malpresentation, and congenital foetal abnormalities like hydrocephalus, polycystic kidneys/hydronephrosis or locked twins. Here we present a case of rare congenital anomaly of foetus, Prune belly syndrome causing obstructed labour in its course and managed by foetal abdominal tapping leading to successful vaginal delivery. Prune belly syndrome is a rare congenital disease characterized by abdominal wall muscle abnormalities, urinary tract abnormalities and cryptorchidism. It is also associated with cardiovascular, genital, respiratory and other musculoskeletal malformations. Since this patient had no antenatal visit the syndrome was diagnosed after detailed examination of still born foetus.